Willows Police Department, California
End of Watch: Monday, February 19, 1940
Age: 69
Tour of Duty: 18 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: February 19, 1940
Weapon Used: Shotgun
Suspect Info: Committed
Chief Markham was shot and killed as he and another officer attempted to take shotgun from a man who was walking the streets threatening people. As the two officers talked with the man he opened fire fatally wounding Chief Markham and blowing away half of the other officer's face. Both managed to return fire leaving the suspect seriously wounded. A citizen, who ran out of a nearby hardware store, was hit with a bullet from Chief Marhham's revolver and killed.
On May 27, 1940, the suspect, 37, was found not guilty by reason of insanity and committed at Ukiah State Mental Hospital.
Chief Markham had served as a constable and chief of police for Willow for 18 years.